A carrier tape holding device is installed in a component supply unit that supplies a component by drawing a carrier tape storing the component from a tape roll body formed by winding the carrier tape in a roll shape. The carrier tape holding device includes a storage portion that stores the tape roll body. The storage portion holds the tape roll body in a state where the component supply unit is able to draw the carrier tape from the tape roll body, and is capable of receiving a tape roll body for replenishment moved from a holder storing the tape roll body for replenishment in a state where the holder is detachably attached.

A payout device is provided, wherein the payout device can include a carton, a rotatable member, and a support assembly. The carton can include an opening providing an egress for elongated flexible material stored within an interior compartment, and the interior compartment can be cylindrical in a substantially horizontal direction around a rotatable member therein. The support assembly can have a slot for rotatably supporting the rotatable member, wherein the slot can have a generally teardrop shape with a larger diameter end, sized to allow the rotatable member to rotate therein, and a smaller diameter end, sized smaller than a circumference of the rotatable member. The rotatable member can be slidable between the larger and smaller diameter ends, and the slot can be positioned on the carton with the larger diameter end being in a position that is elevated and closer to the opening than the smaller diameter end.

A gripping tool, a gripping device, and a gripping method for reel-type and/or disk-type gripping objects, in particular SMD rolls. The gripping tool, which can be automatically handled and operated, has a frame having a connection, in particular a robot connection, and has a gripper having a controllable adjusting device, wherein the gripper is provided and designed for laterally guiding and for centrally gripping and supporting the gripped object.

A fiber bundle joining apparatus includes: a support table configured to hold a terminal end portion side of a first fiber bundle; a roller mechanism having a roller around which a leading end portion side of a second fiber bundle is capable of being wound; a movement mechanism configured to perform a first movement for moving the roller mechanism to the vicinity of the terminal end portion side of the first fiber bundle, and a second movement for further moving the roller mechanism on the terminal end portion side of the first fiber bundle to create a state where the leading end portion side of the second fiber bundle is stacked on the terminal end portion side of the first fiber bundle; and a thermocompression bonding mechanism configured to pressure-bond the first fiber bundle and the second fiber bundle.

A wheel-balancing weights application tool for applying wheel-balancing weights to a central portion of a wheel is hereby presented, the wheel-balancing weights application tool comprising a pair of opposed semi-circular weights holder capable of simultaneously carrying two sets of wheel-balancing weights to a wheel for sequentially securing the two sets of wheel-balancing weights to the central portion of the wheel.

A spool-supplying apparatus for managing a plurality of spools is presented and is comprising a spool support frame, a spool-supporting axle secured in cantilever, at a first end thereof, to the spool support frame, the spool-supporting axle being configured to support a plurality of axially-supported spools thereon, the plurality of spools axially engaging the spool-supporting axle through a second end thereof, and a spool unwinder operatively associated with the spool-supplying apparatus for unwinding a spool, the spool unwinder being configured to rotatably engage a first spool from the second end of the spool-supporting axle. A method of using the spool-supplying apparatus is also presented.

A ribbon self-orienting device that is to be interposed between the source and the target of a traveling ribbon, either during winding of a ribbon into a traversed roll or during pay-off of a ribbon from a traversed roll. A pivoting frame is pivotally coupled to a frame support, at a pivot axis. First and second direction changing means coupled to the pivoting frame serve to change the direction of the traveling ribbon. A force transfer means transfers a transversely directed force, imparted by the traveling ribbon due to the ribbon traversing its traversed roll while under tension, to the pivoting frame causing the pivoting frame to move about the pivot axis. Other embodiments are also described.

A strap may be removably attachable to a container. The strap may include a retractor having an opening, a retraction spring and a brake. The strap may further include a strip of flexible material attached to the retraction spring and extending through the opening of the retractor. The strap may also include clips attaching the retractor and distal end of the flexible material to the container. The strip of flexible material may move from a fully retracted position, where the distal end of the strip of flexible material is nearest the retractor, relative to the entire length of the strip of flexible material, to an extended position where the distal end of the strip of flexible material is furthest from the retractor. The retraction spring may bias the strip of flexible material into/toward the fully retracted position.

Implementations of a tape holder are provided. In some implementations, the tape holder may be used to secure a roll of tape to a magnetic surface. In some implementations, the tape holder is comprised of a base member and a spool support. In some implementations, the base member has one or more magnets on one side for securing the tape holder to a surface. In some implementations, the spool support is configured to secure a roll of tape to the tape holder. In some implementations, the spool support is configured to receive a roll of tape thereon. In some implementations, the spool support may include one or more flexible members thereon configured to releasably secure a roll of tape on the spool support. In some implementations, the tape holder may include a bearing shelf. In some implementations, the bearing shelf may be configured to support a roll of tape thereon.

Disclosed is a liner reel, a cassette, a let off station and a method for collecting a liner, wherein the liner reel has a core and a shell that is concentrically mountable to said core for rotation together with said core about a liner reel axis, wherein the shell has a collection wall that extends in a circumferential direction about the liner reel axis when the shell is mounted to the core, wherein the collection wall is arranged for receiving the liner, wherein the core has a support wall extending in the circumferential direction for supporting the collection wall at least with a vector component in a radial direction perpendicular to the liner reel axis, wherein the collection wall is at least partially contractible in said radial direction when the shell is removed from the core.